Biological Interaction with Environmental Chemicals

Fish that bioaccumulate poorly degradable, lipid-soluble organic compounds from water will lose them back to water if they are placed in an unpolluted environment. The process by which this occurs is called depuration. The time required to lose half of the bioaccumulated xenobiotic material is called the half-life of the substance. 

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A chemical structure can be used to predict its interaction with environmental media and biological systems. Even simple physical chemistry can accurately predict the persistent and bioaccumulative properties of certain types of chemical [86]. Equally, certain hazardous properties can be qualitatively predicted by comparing a molecular structure with similar substances with known hazard profiles [87], Many developments have been achieved using actual computational techniques (e.g., QSAR) to quantitatively evaluate the toxic properties of substances, particularly pharmaceuticals (see [88, 89]). 

Matrix rows (disciplines that interact with chemistry-chemical engineering) computational science and mathematics environmental science biology physics materials science and engineering earth sciences... 

Measurement of biological interaction effects of organotins with other toxic chemicals under stressful environmental conditions of temperature, oxygen, and other variables (Thompson et al. 1985). 

Any system (chemical, biological, mechanical, etc.) that does not interact with its surroundings, such that matter and/or heat are not transferred into or out of the system. A change in environmental conditions does not result in a change in the system conditions. 

What makes synthetic organic chemists the most qualified individual to assume the leadership role in the design of safer chemicals is their ability to understand chemical reactivity at the molecular level. The basis of a chemical s commercial utility, and also its toxicity and any adverse environmental impact that it will cause, is ultimately based on how its molecules will interact with the molecules of other chemicals. These other molecules include those involved with the intended use of the commercial chemical, in addition to those found in biological systems, such as macromolecules in humans, or molecules or atoms found in the environment. 

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